Q&A: Adam Atrix Reimagines His Debut with ‘ATRIXXX: REMIXXXED,’ a Celebration of Self-Expression
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY KIMBERLY KAPELA ☆
Photography Credit: Alyssa Freeman
PUSHING BOUNDARIES THAT’S EQUAL PARTS EXPANSIVE AND EMPOWERING — Electronic artist and DJ Adam Atrix is making waves once again with his latest offering, ATRIXXX: REMIXXXED, a bold reimagining of his debut project. Known for his ability to weave an eclectic mix of genres into a singular sonic experience, Atrix has taken the original ATRIXXX—a genre-blurring collection spanning UK garage, house, ballroom, electronica, ambient, and more—and elevated it into an entirely new dimension.
At the heart of ATRIXXX: REMIXXXED, is a message of self-celebration and empowerment. Atrix has always viewed music as a vessel for self-expression and community, and his latest work encapsulates this ethos. “It doesn't matter how you're dancing—crying, laughing, screaming—just have fun with my music and just be iconic,” Atrix says.” Be an icon for yourself, because that's what's most important in life. Just loving yourself and embracing what you love.”
This vision permeates every beat, synth, and vocal chop of ATRIXXX: REMIXXXED. Whether it's the high-energy ballroom beats or the dreamlike ambient layers, Atrix’s music creates a space for listeners to lose themselves and rediscover their own unique rhythm. By collaborating with underground icons like Divinecowgurl, Saint Lewis, and Phaser, Atrix has cultivated a project that feels as personal as it is universal, inviting everyone into his vibrant sonic world.
Each track on ATRIXXX: REMIXXXED feels like a rediscovery. The pulsating beats, glitchy synth layers, and otherworldly vocal chops breathe new life into familiar rhythms. Atrix and his collaborators have managed to amplify the best elements of the original tracks, transforming them into pieces that feel both nostalgic and cutting-edge. Tracks once rooted in atmospheric tones are now reimagined with bolder, more energetic beats, while others dive deeper into experimental textures, creating a balance between chaos and harmony.
Through his ever-evolving soundscapes, Atrix brings his audience on a journey of self-discovery and bold expression. By infusing his music with elements of seduction and confidence, Atrix doesn’t just make listeners dance—he encourages them to step into their most empowered selves.
Atrix’s exploration of sensuality and confidence in his music isn’t just a stylistic choice; it’s a declaration of self-assurance and liberation. The seductive undertones of his tracks evoke an almost tangible energy, inviting listeners to tap into their own personas and embrace their own confidence. ATRIXXX: REMIXXXED is a bold declaration that his artistry continues to evolve, redefine and push boundaries.
Photography Credit: Alyssa Freeman
LUNA: Thank you for talking to Luna. Our readers would love to get to know you and your music more. For any readers who aren’t familiar with you yet, what inspires your artistic style and sound?
ADAM: I'm an electronic club music artist, producer and DJ from the Chicagoland area. My sound is very expansive, I would say, I think it goes under the bubble of the electronic sounds of the world. I just explore so many on the projects I've released. A lot of my songs are very seductive, sexual, confident, and it's just something that I just love talking about, because it brings a sort of confidence and persona out of me. I'm not always going to have songs about that stuff. I always joke that when I fall in love, I'm going to probably start making R&B music again, because that's how I technically started off. My overall sound is just electronic, sexy club music.
LUNA: What kind of atmosphere or emotional space do you aim to create for your listeners?
ADAM: The emotional space I like to create for my listeners is confidence. I just want people to feel confident and sexy when listening to my music. If you want to dance, if you want to just feel yourself, really feel confident, just exude that energy, or whatever you want to feel. I want people to hone in on that when they listen to my music. You can really get any emotion from my music. But the biggest one I want you to feel is confidence and sexual boost energy.
LUNA: You’re a part of Chicago’s DIY scenes, and for any readers who aren’t familiar with Chicago’s music scene, how has its scene and community inspired or impacted your sound?
ADAM: The Chicago DIY scene is still to this day, it's so underrated, it's so vibrant, it's ever expanding. I feel like everyone always talks about that glass ceiling here in Chicago that you always hit, but I feel like that ceiling continues to rise every day, because there's just so much you can continue to do here. There's just so many artists that inspire me. The Chicago scene is really one of a kind. I think it has its flaws, but it also has so much beauty that fills in those flaws. I think just being in the Chicagoland area, I will always have my heart here because it's just so beautiful, and it's a really diverse energy. Diverse in people, obviously, but the energy is so diverse here, because you can really pick up any vibe anywhere you want to go in the city.
LUNA: You released your album ATRIXXX:REMIXXXED and a huge congratulations! I admire how it continues to push boundaries within your own sound and it stays true to your DIY roots. What inspired you to revisit and rework your debut project as ATRIXXX: REMIXXXED, and how do you feel this version expands on the original?
ADAM: I actually started the remix project when I started the original album, which was almost two years ago now. The first remix was the “Naughty” and then the “Tease” DANII remixes. Back in July, I was really inspired by Kelela, Shygirl, even Charli XCX. Artists like that, especially in the electronics realm, rework their practice a lot. I just wanted to go for it. I reached out to artists and saw who would be down to do this because I got really hungry to aim for this goal and make it happen. When I was able to make the version of this album happen, it really deepens the sound of the original, and I think it allows for it to take new form. I feel like it's not a sister album, not even directly from the original, but it's a sister album now, because I think people are going to expect one thing, but there's really so many different sounds on the remix album that it's not all just club. There's so many different sounds that all the remixers and collaborators brought to the table. I'm so grateful for that, because it really just turned into something that I could never even imagine.
LUNA: I would love to talk more about the creative process behind ATRIXXX:REMIXXXED. Can you walk us through a typical writing and recording session for the album?
ADAM: Most of the people that I work with, I've never even met. I've actually never even been in a true studio to record my music. It all happens in my bedroom. The process for this is my notes app, Ableton and Splice, and then phone calls or texts with my collaborators over Instagram. It's all so virtual, which I have a love-hate relationship with, because I wish it was like in the movies where everyone was in the studio together and going on the mic together. I have a lot of online friends because they're also a lot of international people. It's really cool how you can build connections without ever being face to face.
LUNA: What challenges or surprises did you encounter while working with remixers and reimagining your tracks?
ADAM: The only surprising part was how down everyone was and open to working with me. I think the biggest one was Saint Lewis and Phaser working with me because they're such amazing artists and they're so big to me. It was an honor, really, and that goes for everyone on the album too. I was just star struck to work with everyone. Most people I don't even know or know much about something I don't even know much about, but I'm just like, I love your sound. I love your vision. I see what you're doing. I would love you to bring that to the table with me.
LUNA: What is your favorite song from ATRIXXX:REMIXXXED and why do you love it? Is there a certain lyric or message that stands out to you the most?
ADAM: Honestly, I don't even have one. There's something I lean more towards, but that just depends on the day, because I love all of them. I will say, in a selfish way, my favorite verse is the one I laid down on the new “Naughty” where it goes really fast in the middle of the song. I was listening to the album last night, because I tend to listen to my music a lot to rework it in my brain and think how can I improve or what do I love about it even more? I could not tell you where and when I did that verse for “Naughty.” I'm pretty sure it was a one take. It just came out of me. And then DANII, who's a master at producing and doing their thing, they did their vocals and laid down the whole new beat and they killed it. Verse-wise, my new “Naughty” verse. Song-wise, I cannot pick but because I love them all so much, it's hard.
LUNA: How does it feel revisiting and reworking your hits?
ADAM: It honestly feels really empowering, because working with all the collaborators is so amazing, and then seeing a whole new project come to life. I really view it as a whole new project when it comes to the remix album, because I don't see it as a remix album. Yeah, it's a remix album, but it's a whole new thing because of how expansive it is. The beats are all different, all reworked by their producers or remixers. I'm just so grateful that I'm able to see that and it's my work.
LUNA: I would like to touch on some of the creative collaborations that went into the original ATRIXXX and the remixed version where you’ve partnered with Divinecowgurl, Saint Lewis, Phaser, DANII and many more. Can you share more about your creative partnership and how it influenced the overall sound and direction of the songs?
ADAM: There's just so many different experiences with everyone. I just always joke and say this is the underground electronic baddie group, because I feel like I just built a little community with the Atrixxx remix project. I keep saying that I barely met most of them, or I've only hung out with someone a couple times, but I feel so creatively connected to them and I just see their talent and how inspiring they are, and they inspire me to keep going. I'm just so grateful again, because it's so cool to be able to work with so many amazing people.
LUNA: If you had to describe ATRIXXX: REMIXXXED in three words to someone unfamiliar with your work, what would they be?
ADAM: Nasty, energetic and confident.
LUNA: What is the best environment to listen ATRIXXX:REMIXXXED in?
ADAM: Any club party space where you can just go all out, go crazy for the bangers. And then also a private space where it can be just you, you and some friends, you and loved ones. Just to embrace the music and do whatever you feel. I'm such a big fan of Lorde and the way she dances on stage, because she embraces the music and lets go. I would love for people to do that with my music. It doesn't matter how you're dancing – crying, laughing, screaming, just have fun with my music and just be iconic. Be an icon for yourself, because that's what's most important in life. Just loving yourself and embracing what you love.
LUNA: How are you feeling in this current era of your career and what does the rest of the year look like that you would like to share with Luna?
ADAM: I'm just feeling ready to take on more, even if my friends would probably be like don't say that, you already do enough. I'm so ready to take on more and open myself to blessings from the universe and its divine gifts. I compare myself to others sometimes. I'm just like, ‘oh, they have more streams, more monthly listeners, more this is’ but I'm like, babe, you're on your own path. Your time will come. Enjoy it in the moment and just live life, but I am ready for doing more shows, more DJ gigs, taking on more projects, working with more new people, current people, old people. In terms of the rest of the year, I'm just going to be promoting the new album and the original album, and I'm making CDs, which I'm really excited for. I want to do more shows and enjoy life and live it up and embrace the music.
